Does this work?

[Joerg Rockenberger]

I normally don't do such high-key, lots-of-empty-space images though I do like them when posted here. Of course, I anticipate some disagreement with my decision to leave in the piece of kelp or seaweed on the beach. No beach clean up was done.

The Black-Bellied Plover was photographed last Friday morning in heavy fog/overcast at Natural Bridges Beach in Santa Cruz, CA.

Thanks in advance. Best, JR

Canon 40D, 500F4IS, 1/400s, F4, ISO 800, Manual Exposure, Gitzo Tripod w/ Mongoose 3.5a

[Richard Stern]

Hi Joerg,

High key works nicely for me, resulting in a pleasing overall effect. Good sharpness and head angle. Would look nice as a print on the wall of a modern apartment, with contemporary decor. Has me a bit puzzled about what happened to the bird's feet. I would prefer removal of the piece of seaweed.

Richard

[Daniel Cadieux]

I like the overall feel to it, Joerg. For me the feet are obviously submerged in the wavelet's tiny bubbles so I'm OK with that, but I agree with removal of the object on the beach, simply because your image is a case of simpler is better...the beach is so clean that the object screems for attention rather than adding to the image. Personally for me I would crop away at close to half the thickness of the beach at bottom.

Did you need to add contrast/adjust levels or curves much with the foggy conditions, or was the plover out of the fog? Looks good, just curious about it.:)

[Hugo Estévez]

it´s works for me. Nice image and great composition

[Marina Scarr]

I think this capture would work a bit better with a different crop. For me there is too much sand. Here's my version. Not sure about keeping or losing the seaweed. I think it can work either way. What really matters is whether you can find a way to make the picture work for you!

[Joerg Rockenberger]

Thank you all for taking the time to comment. Daniel is of course right that the feet are submerged by the remnants of a retreading wave. And yes, the image required some work with the contrast and black sliders in ACR to bring the bird out of the fog...

As for the crop, I have other pictures without the seaweed and it looks to me just too empty without it. Normally I'd just crop tighter to put stronger emphasis on the bird but noise is again an issue in this image revealing itself in a tighter crop.

I actually agree with Daniel's and Marina's suggestion to remove more from the OOF foreground but find there is not enough space on the right in Marina's repost (thanks so much by the way) - of course this would be moot if one would remove the seaweed.

Best, JR

[Arthur Morris]

I love the look and Marina's crop is just what I was gonna suggest. Way to go.